MEDFA News & Events RICHARD A. KING AWARD Richard A. King The Richard A. King Award was established by the MEDFA Board of Directors to honor the memory of one of MEDFA's “Founding Fathers” and most dedicated supporters. Dick served on the Board since the association's beginning in 1991, and as President from 1999–2001. 2010 Richard A. King Award Winner White Goss Bowers March Schulte & Weisenfels, Michael T. White MEDFA is pleased to announce Michael T. White as the 2010 Richard A. King Award winner. Mike is Chairman of the law firm, White Goss Bowers March Schulte & Weisenfels in Kansas City, Missouri. His entire professional career has been dedicated to economic development in Missouri. He is a master in land use matters, having practiced in both the public and private sector. Mike was a founding member of the Missouri Tax Increment Financing Association (MTIFA), the predecessor of MEDFA, and served as its General Counsel. He co–drafted and secured passage of the Missouri TIF Statute, and acted as Lead Counsel defending the constitutionality of the TIF act, which he won before the Missouri Supreme Court. He drafted the model for all TIF Plans still being used in Missouri, and was instrumental in the introduction of the EATS concept to TIF financing without which most TIF projects would not have been built. In addition, he has helped secure numerous legislative amendments to the TIF, TDD, CID, and LCRA Acts, making each more "user friendly." Mike is a former Jackson County legislator, and served as Jackson County Executive from 1975—1979. When he left the public sector, he developed the first "Public Law" department at his law firm, which became the model for other major law firms throughout the state. He served as the first General Counsel to the Kansas City, Missouri TIF Commission. n addition to managing a demanding law practice, Mike has developed and structured land use regulations. He also handles major land use litigation, and has represented numerous corporations and organizations in land use matters. He drafted legislation granting Missouri counties the power to levy sales taxes. Mike is the author of two books: Missouri Land Use, Law and Practice (Curators, University of Missouri) and Missouri Economic Development Law (Curators, University of Missouri). Throughout his career, Mike has also authored a variety of articles including: "The Seven Myths About Economic Incentives", Missouri Municipal Review, July 2003; "City Managers Guide to Tax Increment Financing", Missouri Municipal League, 1998; and "Tax Increment Financing", Journal of the Missouri Bar (Sept.–Oct. 1990). Past Winners 2009 Richard A. King Award Winner City of Lee's Summit, Mayor Karen Messerli 2008 Richard A. King Award Winner City of St. Joseph, Triumph Foods Project 2007 Richard A. King Award Winner Mayor Kay Barnes, City of Kansas City, Missouri